"I am going to show the world what a spoken-word poet can do.". SOFIA VERGARA: Yeah. Following his victory just a year before, Leake returned to theAGTstage for a special guest performance during Season 16. Don't go out there trying to be somebody else. The same way the Latino woman from Florida can relate to a young black kid from Cali," said Leake. We'll be the voices that people look back and say this is what this era looked like," said Leake. Leake was the first-ever spoken word poet to win America's Got Talent. She died from an enlarged heart at only eight-months-old. What made you decide to audition for America's Got Talent? Brandon Leake, a 27-year-old college counselor from Stockton, California, shocked the judges with an emotionally poetic spoken-word performance, a first on the "AGT" stage. ", RELATED VIDEO: Sofia Vergara Says She and Husband Joe Manganiello 'Haven't Had 1 Fight Yet' During Quarantine. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories, "What an amazing tribute," said Cowell. Were you the first poet that producers had seen? "I'll say in the moment of doing it on the national stage, it wasn't immensely difficult due to the years of practice beforehand," said Leake. Just be you. Year after year, \"America's Got Talent\" features an impressive array of singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, magicians, ventriloquists and hopeful stars, all vying to win America's hearts and a $1 million prize.America's Got Talent is available now on Peacock, the new streaming service from NBCUniversal. Wildcats, singer Celina, Divas & Drummers of Compton, singer Kenadi Dodds, projection artists Lightwave Theatre Company and dancer Noah Epps. That's what felt really good: knowing I'd done so much work to get so much better, and that I was finally there. Since the show gave him a platform to share his skill with the world, he has become a household name across the country. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Simon Cowell Is 'Very Happy' to Be Home 1 Week After Breaking His Back and Undergoing Surgery, Sofia Vergara Recalls Brother's Death During Powerful AGT Audition: 'I Can Feel Your Pain', AGT: Watch Archie Williams, Brandon Leake and More Season 15 Finalists Perform for $1M Prize. You just have to take a deep breath and keep on going if not for yourself, then for everybody you love.". Exclusive:How 'AGT' is reshaping season during COVID-19, from no audiences to outdoor Judge Cuts. I know what it is to have somebody taken from you without you knowing. Are you close to your sister? asked Howie. In 2011, Vergara opened up about the death of her older brother Rafael in a Parade cover story, telling the magazine about how the tragedy affected her family members. The 27-year-old from Stockton stole hearts on the national stage by telling a very personal story about the death of his baby. Leake says his overall goal is to spread a message that creates a more loving and gracious society. Brandon was the first ever artist of his genre to feature on the show and has been awarded the $1,000,000 prize, as well as a headline slot at a show in Las Vegas. Brandon is the first poet to pass the audition round. The Modern Family actress then said that Leake's poem reminded her of her late brother. The NBC App is the best place to catch up on the most recent season of your favorite shows, watch live TV, and stream movies. (Kelly Clarkson and Kenan Thompson previously served as season 15 guest judges during the live shows. It's the only consistent part of his process. The then 4-year-old adored being a big brother and couldn't wait for all the fun they'd have together. Brandon Leake is the winner of the 15th season of America's Got Talent. But I was left here to manufacture wings out of tears and broken dreams, Brandon rapped. Brandon Leake has made it clear he's willing to take that leap. I didn't know her, but she was a beautiful young Black girl, probably around 15 or 16. Published on July 1, 2020 11:34 AM. Brandon received enough votes to advance to the Finals in Episode 1518 instead of Thomas Day. I know what it is to have somebody taken from you without you knowing.". Surprising Cause Of Death Revealed For 37-Year-Old ABC News Producer. ", "Lines like that are what build the bridge between me and another person, and who would have thought that poetry or spoken word could do that," said Leake. His daughter, now 6 months old, is named Aaliyah, but her dad calls her "booboo". Brandon Leake's auditionin Episode 1506 consisted of recitinga spoken word poem about his late sister. His new book of poems, Unraveling, came out in March 2022, showcasing his singular artistry yet again. We feel your love and you moved me to do this.". AGT Season 17 premieres Tuesday, May 31 at 8 p.m. He's a young man from Stockton who's transcending boundaries and breaking down barriers for generations to come. The poem touched every single Judge, but particularly Howie Mandel, who awarded Leake with a Golden Buzzer. Brandon Leake, a 27-year-old college counselor from Stockton, California, shocked the judges with . We feel your pain, we feel your love.". After the final five acts are determined for the live semifinals, next week will be the first of two rounds, with 10 acts competing each Tuesday (Sept. 8 and Sept. 15) at the Universal Studios Hollywood lots. America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays (at 8 p.m. When or if Cowell, 60, will return has yet to be determined. On the following Wednesdays, (which will feature celebrity musical acts including BTS on Sept. 16), the finalists will be announced. Singers can go to, I would say the writing was always personal, but performing was not always personal. She's here with me now," Leake said, leading Mandel to ask if shewas backstage. On Tuesday's episode of the competition series, 27-year-old Brandon Leake took the stage in front of an empty audience due to the show's health precautions amid the pandemic to perform a spoken-word set. Acclaimed actress and international superstar Sofia Vergara joins as a new judge this season alongside returning judge and global fashion icon Heidi Klum. Aside from crew members and hostTerry Crews, that meant there were only four people inthe audience Tuesday: Cowell,Sofa Vergara,Howie Mandel and guest judgeEric Stonestreet, who filled in for a sick Heidi Klum. It's either love or pain, one of the two. Brandon Leake is an award-winning spoken word poet, artistic educator and motivational speaker from . SPOKEN word performer and civil rights activist Brandon Leake is the winner of Americas Got Talent season 15. Now I get the chance to be on the forefront and show the world what spoken-word can do. We have to understand each other and be compassionate, have empathy for each other. America's Got Talent Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. It's either love or pain, one of the two. Your poems are so raw. The 27-year-old from Stockton stole hearts on the national stage by telling a very personal story about the death of his baby. Brandon Leake is an African-American spoken word poet, educator, and motivational speaker. Mandel applauded Leake'screativity and vulnerability. There was really nowhere else to go. Go behind-the-scenes, stay on top of breaking news, hang with the stars, and much more. There was really nowhere else to go. Howie and Heidi are amazing, but he's the boss! Cowell called his act an "amazing tribute." Age (at audition) Last week, a source told PEOPLE that "Simon's healing has been going well," and "he's recovering at home." ALL of Brandon Leake's Performances on Season 15 of AGT! It's the time that I don't have anybody pulling on me. Watch Brandon Leake's Audition on AGT:https://youtu.be/tdjIFkM-ohQWill Brandon become the next AGT winner?? I wanted to be with them, so I got a big house [in Miami, Florida] and we all lived together. Brandon Leake (born May 4, 1992) is a spoken word poet, educator and motivational speaker and the winner of the fifteenth season of America's Got Talent. Brandon Leake is AGT royalty. [1] He was the first spoken word poet to be on America's Got Talent and received the Golden Buzzer award in the first round from Howie Mandel. He went on to study at Simpson University in Redding, where as well as writing poetry, he played basketball onSimpson'sNCAA Division II team. This pursuit led to Brandon leading workshops around the world with several curricula he developed himself. NBC Insider is your all-access pass to some of your favorite NBC shows. . ET) on NBC. Or you could say it started in college after the passing of one of my best friendsme getting the opportunity to have an outlet to share that type of pain. The reason I became so much better was actually 'cause I failed making the show the first time. Brandon met his wife Anna at one of his shows in Stockton after she turned up with a mutual friend. There's really no other place to find a mainstream home. Brandon was announced as the winner ahead of Broken Roots, Cristina Rae, Roberta Battaglia and Alan Silva, winning $1 million, a new KIA, and the headlining of a show in Las Vegas. Judge Sofia Vergara, whose older brother Rafael was murdered the same year that Danielle passed away, was in tears, telling Brandon, I can feel your pain. It's my opportunity. Act [2] SIMON COWELL: What an amazing tribute. Creator and Executive Producer Simon Cowell is back at the star-studded judges' table with fan-favorite comedian Howie Mandel. Praise be the kingdom. And then I just keep my shoulders from getting wet. We are the ones who, as I said, capture history. "Love is the most vulnerable thing one will ever have," Leake recited, "And you must learn to hold onto it loosely so when it leaves it won't exit so painfully.". We feel your pain. He will be part of the AGT Live residency and has a movie in the works. No music, no nothing. KYLIE MAR: "America's Got Talent's" first-ever spoken-word contestant, 27-year-old Stockton poet, educator, and new father Brandon Leake, closed out Tuesday night's episode with a tear-jerking ode to his deceased younger sister. This is a very difficult thing for me to judge. Brandon Leake is a poet from Season 15 of America's Got Talent. Brandon's final performance was an emotional spoken word piece about his new-born daughter. But if this pain and these memories are all that I got left of you, I won't never regret these scars. But it was his first time, I believe, being moved by it the way I do it. WINNER Brandon Leake All Performances on America's Got Talent!Audition - 0:05Quarterfinals - 5:03Semifinals - 10:01Finale - 14:59#AGT #AmericasGotTalent #Tal. : How did you discover spoken-word poetry? Since then, Leake has worked as an English teacher at Edison High School and an academic advisor at Delta College in Stockton. Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara all gave him standing ovations. All of the judges and Crews have now used their Golden Buzzers. Keep reading for 10 things you didn't know about America's Got Talent season 15 winner . After graduating, Leake joined a slam poetry team in Sacramento. In addition to the $1 million grand prize and a newKia Stinger, Leake is currently a headliner atAGT's live Las Vegas show at the Luxor. "I had a nightmare that I would be 90 years old doing this show and nobody would be watching it, judge Simon Cowell said while looking back to the empty Pasadena Civic Auditorium. "We are the storytellers of the generation, we are the griots of our time. Leake, who is AGT 's first-ever spoken word poet to compete, was among the standout performances of the night with his moving poem. For myself, it was like, this is my time. You are so amazing. But while other auditioners of the episode, notably the magicians and comedians, suffered from not being able to play to a roaring crowd, the intimacy of this unique situation actually made Brandons performance all the more intense and impactful. No music, no nothing, just a raw heart beating in front of us. All-Stars SIMON COWELL: Really-- this is a very difficult thing for me to judge. Meet the Season 17 Finalists of 'America's Got Talent', 'AGT' Star Jane 'Nightbirde' Marczewski's Family Is 'Devastated by Her Passing': 'Unimaginable Loss', empty audience due to the show's health precautions. She did this really sweet poem about her relationship with Jesus. / Good Day Sacramento. I've been ground-bound because she left Earth to go back home, amongst the stars right next to God. "My brother passed away the same year that your sister passed away," an emotional Vergara said. "I can feel your pain; I know what this is. Coming from a kid who was always concerned about looking cool, being cool, and doing cool stuff, it was really hard for me to relinquish that type of cool jacket off of myself, How communal the talent pool became. Brandon's sister, who was four years younger than him, died at just 8 months old. That being said, if an audience had been present during this taping, its likely that all spectators would have been rendered stunned and pindrop-silent by Brandons words. I actually didn't think about that at all. Don't go out there chasing anybody else. Exclusive: How 'AGT' is reshaping season during COVID-19, from no audiences to outdoor Judge Cuts. BRANDON LEAKE: And I'm tired of playing God, because I got to come to terms with the fact that my sister ain't never coming back. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Your mother and I love you more than youll ever know., Today fans divided over Jenna's dress as some viewers say it's 'inappropriate', Sister Wives Janelle Brown doesnt approve of Christines new romance, Inside 1000-lb Sisters stars Amy and Michael's secret fights over kids, Today's Savannah Guthrie abruptly leaves show after scary new medical diagnosis, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. 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